A lost diary, a quirky curiosity shop, and a grumpy/sunshine vibe? Once again, I absolutely loved the newest book in the Ever After Street series ! I so wish I could visit this street in real life and Mickey's shop sounds like it would be so much fun to explore. I really enjoyed the mysterious diary and found myself glued to the pages just as much as Mickey, Ren, and Ava, dying to know what happened next. I loved how they all helped each other in different ways and this was just the heartwarming story I needed. And also, Mickey was definitely onto something with the dragon fruit table, as I saw exactly that in Home Goods last week! If you only listen to one of my recommendations, pick up any book by this author! I promise you won't be disappointed!

Finding Love at the Magical Curiosity Shop hits shelves May 26. I was lucky enough to get to read it a little early thanks to @netgalley and @theboldbookclub
Mickey has been trying to run her Little Mermaid themed curiosity shop on Ever After Street alone after her beloved father’s death. And sales have not been great lately. When teenager Ava stumbles into her store, Mickey knows she is a kindred spirit, Ava’s grumpy father Ren, not so much. When the three discover an old diary, seemingly written by a mermaid, hidden in Mickey’s shop, they set out to find the truth behind it.
Another sweet and cute love story by @jaimieadmans1 that takes place on the shopping street I really wish was real.
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This series is my favorite! It is so whimsical, escapist, and charming. It makes my heart swoon! It is clean, so well written, and it plays like a movie in my mind. Jaimie is the absolute queen of adult fairy tales. This book made me feel like a kid again. It kept me intrigued throughout and was absolutely delightful….i just hope the series never ends! If only I could visit the ever after street in real life….

Another cute fairy tale inspired story on the beloved Ever After Street.
Are mermaids real? Were they ever? When shop owner, Micky, finds what appears to be a mermaid's journal, a quest for answers begins. Ava, a thirteen year old dealing with a MIA mom, and her dad get caught up in the hunt for the truth. Together they embark on the summer of their lives.
Lots of fun, simple romance, and good friends. Love this series!
I received an advance copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

I really like this authors writing and this was so cute!
I enjoyed the whimsical feel of it!
I can't wait to see what friends think when it comes out!

Thank you NetGalley for this arc!

I love books by Jaimie Admans (I’ve read them all) and so I was delighted to be approved to read her newest release via netgalley. Here is my honest review in exchange for a free advance copy.

This book is part of Jaimie’s Ever After series - modern love stories loosely based on fairytales/ Disney. This time it’s based on The Little Mermaid. Shop owner Mickey finds a diary from 1900 describing a shipwreck and seemingly written by a mermaid - it couldn’t have been, could it?! That’s the magical element of the story which you’re either gonna love and be all in for or it’s gonna grate on you. Personally, I loved it. Throw in a love story for Mickey involving a single dad and his teenage daughter and I am in rom com heaven.

This series is a must read for me. They are whimsical and easy to read, yet draw you in and give you all the feels. You don’t need to read them in publication order, although if you start with this one I bet you’ll go back and read all the others straight away afterwards!

I highly recommend both this book and this series to fans of romance novels. Out at the end of May in the UK. One of my favourite reads of April!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫 (4.75 stars)

3.5⭐
Genre ~ contemporary fiction
Series ~ Every After Street #5
Setting ~ England
Publication date ~ May 25, 2025
Publisher ~ Boldwood Books
Est Page Count ~ 305 (21 chapters)
POV ~ single 1st
Featuring ~ The Little Mermaid retelling, small town, small business owner, history professor, single dad, grumpy/sunshine, no steamage

Mickey (38) & Ren meet when he clonks his noggin walking into her cluttered shop looking for his 13 year old daughter, Ava. Ava is like totally bored and hanging out with her father is so lame, but when she purchases something in the shop that has a hidden compartment and a secret book inside they have no choice but to read it together and get swept up in the story it tells. And I was a little swept up myself with the tale dating back to 1899.

Ren has been hurt before and is unapologetically honest, sometimes too honest, which can hurt feelings at times. Other times it’s necessary to light a fire under someones behind. In this case Mickey needed that push to get her chaos of a shop cleaned up and organized.

This was moving along nicely and I was really enjoying it. Mickey was a great character that stayed true to herself and had a way of making others feel like they are enough. Ava was a gem, until she wasn’t. Ren was a gem, until he wasn’t. They both made me a bit upset with some hurtful things that were said. But, overall, I enjoyed how the story unfolded.

Side note ~ Codswallop ~ such a fun word! Our equivalent here in the US is hogwash, which I equally love.

Series notes:
The characters from the other books are discussed, but I think this would be fine as a standalone.

This is a cosy, whimsical romance with a fairy-tale flair and a tender emotional core. At the heart of the story is Mickey, the eccentric owner of a delightfully chaotic curiosity shop, who spins fantastical stories about the items she sells. Enter Ren—a buttoned-up single dad with a strong dislike for clutter—who stumbles into Mickey’s world and gets far more than he bargained for.

The grumpy-sunshine dynamic between Mickey and Ren is charmingly played, striking a great balance between heart and humour. Ren’s daughter, Ava, is a standout character who adds warmth and unexpected depth to the story. The hidden diary and touches of mermaid lore thread a gentle sense of magic through the narrative, bringing extra sparkle to Mickey’s already enchanting world.

However, the story does lose a bit of momentum near the end. The third-act breakup feels a little too formulaic, and the resolution wraps up too quickly to fully satisfy the emotional buildup. A bit more time to linger in the final moments would have made the ending more impactful.

Still, this is a heartwarming, feel-good read for anyone who enjoys magical realism with a romantic twist and a sprinkle of seashells and serendipity.

Mermaids are definitely real! I'm totally convinced after reading this.

Especially loving the mermaids diary that Mickey finds in her shop and decides to investigate with Ren and Ava.

Ava is a teen, who is loving Mickey's mermaid's treasure trove of a shop, and Ren is her single father who seems to insult Mickey and her shop continually.

But as the story progresses, there is clearly something magical happening with regards all of their feelings.

I loved seeing the changes in the characters as everything happens, and I also love Mickey's shop and her sense of whimsy

I was once again enchanted by Ever After Street, and felt like I was reading a fairy tale for adults. This is such an amazing series, that I never want it to end. I devoured this book in a few short hours poolside, only really aware of the fact that I needed to keep moving to get more shade, other than that oblivious to my surroundings.

I'm not normally a fan of letters / diaries that are found from the past, but this one sucked me in instantly and i was as invested if not more so than the characters.

An utterly brilliant and highly enjoyable book. More please!

Thank you to Boldwood Books and Netgalley for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily.

Another cute story in the Ever After Street series. This time we follow Mickey who owns the mermaid treasure trove store. You don't need to have ready the others to enjoy this one.

Another absolutely magical addition to the ever after street series. Loved the little mermaid theme and the adventure with the diary. Can't wait for more

What a lovely book. I really enjoyed this one, learning more about Mickey (who we’ve briefly seen in the previous books of the series). Her journey to finding love was so sweet. Nothing negative to say about this book at all, and I’d definitely recommend it, it’s like reading on a beach in the sunshine with a cocktail. Enjoy!

This charming story is a warm hug wrapped in the scent of old books and quiet magic. The unlikely connection between Mickey, the quirky and kind-hearted shopkeeper, and Ren, the grumpy single dad just trying to connect with his daughter, is both heartwarming and believable. Their banter is delightful, and the slow-burn romance feels authentic, full of tension and tenderness.

I would have loved even more time exploring the shop’s magical quirks. Still, this is a touching, cozy read about love, connection, and finding joy in unexpected places.

Highly recommended for fans of grumpy-sunshine pairings and feel-good, character-driven romance.

I love this writer’s book and was delighted to find this one lived up to all expectations. A relatable heroine and a grumpy but engaging hero with the addition of a sassy, challenging teenager to complicate matters. The story dealt with loss, letting go, growth and love. Beautifully written and so enjoyable!

This was the cutest read ever. I loved the grumpy dad, sassy young teen daughter vibes. I really enjoyed the pace and the journal entries. It was a good mix of current events and journals!

Finding Love at the Magical Curiosity Shop is a whimsical cosy romance, perfect to read on a lovely spring or summer day. We have eccentric and lovely Mickey, who owns a very unique curiosity shop, and grumpy single dad Ren. The chemistry between these two jumps off the page - its a classic pairing of grumpy vs sunshine.

Ultimately this book was a really enjoyable romance read set in this whimsical street with fairytale influence.

Hey Mickey! Mickey is adorable. I love her personality and her attitude! I loved how she always stood up for herself. Ren is the definition of grumpy lol. He reminded me so much of a black cat haha! I loved the banter between him and Mickey. And Ava, she was sooo sweet and cute!! Absolutely cherished her!!

I loved the pace of the book for the most part but I sort of felt like the third part was rushed a bit. It wasnt that bad where I wouldn't reccomend this book to a friend though.

Overall, a cute romance with the best grumpy/sunshine trope!

What a lovely, heartwarming read!
Loved it!
I have not read any of Jaimie Admans' books before, and I now I can't wait to delve into other books from the Ever After Street Series!
Mark your calendars lovers of romance, because this is a book you'd want to read!

Thank you netgalley and theboldbookclub for this e-arc.

4.5 rounded up. Thank you NetGalley for the ARC of this wonderful author! Just like all her other books in the ever after series I loved this one as well. I love all the Disney references throughout and really loved the angle she took on writing the little mermaid storyline. Some of the characters annoyed me a little bit at the end but overall it was a magical read! Basically a perfect combination of Disney and a Hallmark movie.

As always with one of Jaimie's books - I want to devour it in one sitting, yet on the other hand eek it out for as long as possible. A really lovely book with that signature dose of "is it real or magic?" that I adore. How long do we have to wait until the next one?!